Solihull German market opens
Nov 30 2009 by Sophie Cross, Birmingham Mail
CHRISTMAS arrived in Solihull as the scent of sizzling bratwurst, toasty crepes and spiced gluhwein filled Mell Square at the borough’s first German Market.
After Birmingham’s disastrous lights switch-on two weeks ago, which saw 60 people injured as crowds breached security barriers, Solihull made its event a more low-key affair.
Activities took place throughout the day before the colourful decorations were lit up – minus the usual fanfare – as night fell.
The borough is one of many areas to have hopped on the German Market bandwagon. Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market now boasts 180 stands and generates millions for the local economy.
Solihull resident Siobhan Rogers, aged 32, said: “I lived in Fallingbostel for five-and-a-half years so used to go to Christmas markets all the time.
“It’s lovely here, though a lot of the stallholders are English. I asked for a currywurst and the girl didn’t know what it was at first!”
Organisers said as arrangements for the market were pulled together in a matter of weeks, they had not had time to source more native German participants but hoped future events could see more collaboration with Main-Taunus-Kreis, Solihull’s twin town.
